Flood, water main break, Lakeville, Cherry View Elementary

Cherry View Elementary in Lakeville is closed for the remainder of the school year after a water main break last Monday. The break appears to be related to maintenance that was underway on a nearby fire hydrant.

"The whole building had to be shut down because there was so much water," said Linda Swanson, the district's director of communication.

The pipe broke before school Monday morning, and flooding caused the boiler room floor to buckle and roof damage. The kitchen, gyms, commons areas and computer lab are damaged, but there was minimal damage to the classroom wings. Workers immediately began vacuuming out as much water as possible.

Because of the water and structural damage, the school's 550 students were relocated to four other district schools for the remaining 16 days of the school year. Students started at their new schools on Thursday, with the school day running from 9:40 a.m. to 3:40 p.m.

Students who walk or bike to school are being asked to arrive at Cherry View at the ordinary time, and they will be transported to their assigned school. Parents also can drop kids off at their new school. Students enrolled in the before- and after-school program will attend at their new location. For updates, go to www.startribune.com/a2253. □